MAHA strategy concerns: Corn leaders ask president to intervene

WASHINGTON — Corn Grower Association presidents from 19 states along with the national organization’s leader expressed concerns about policy recommendations in the “Make Our Children Healthy Again” Strategy in a letter to President Donald Trump.

The recommendations are expected to be released in August by the MAHA Commission.

Concerns stem from the initial assessment, released in May, “which raised pesticide safety questions that have already been answered repeatedly over the decades by research and regulatory agencies,” the letter stated.

“If such language is included in the final report, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices on consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public.

“The MAHA report ignores the extensive science-based research and testing showing that pesticides, including atrazine and glyphosate, can be used safely for their intended uses.

“The report contained numerous errant claims regarding pesticides, often supported by poor or misinterpreted evidence to imply adverse health claims related to these products and erode public trust in the safety of our nation’s food supply.”

The letter noted the report threatens to hobble the efforts of farmers to access the critical tools they need to plant and harvest their crops.

“And if the pesticides mentioned in the report were to disappear completely, our data show that crop yields could decrease by more than 70% due to pests, weeds and disease,” the letter continued.

“Pesticides are some of the most tested and regulated products in the world. The U.S. regulatory framework is the global gold standard. Every pesticide approved for use must submit dozens, if not hundreds, of test results for EPA review and consideration, including tests examining potential effects on child development, dietary exposure and long-term toxicity.

“The EPA’s reviews, required by law, are repeated at least every 15 years, or sooner if new data becomes available. While we appreciate that members of your administration have met with agricultural groups and leaders in recent weeks, our farmers remain deeply troubled.

“The initial assessment and a long list of unfounded statements that key architects of the MAHA report have repeated are prime fodder for trial attorneys seeking to profit and protectionist trading partners who are determined to erect barriers to American agricultural products.

“We call on you to intervene by ensuring that the commission respects and reinforces EPA’s robust science- and risk-based regulation of pesticides and that the report does not unnecessarily jeopardize critical farming tools.”

Among those signing the letter were Kenneth Hartman Jr., of Waterloo, Ill., National Corn Growers Association president; and “I” state presidents Garrett Hawkins, of Waterloo, Ill.; Chris Cherry, of New Palestine, Ind.; and Stu Swanson, of Galt, Iowa.

“In Illinois, another concern is the potential impact on soil and water health if pesticide approvals were to be reversed. No-till and minimal till are two practices that farmers utilize to sequester carbon and minimize erosion, keeping their soil from running into local creeks and streams. However, some sort of weed control is necessary on Illinois farms; if weed-killing chemicals are not available, tillage will be mandatory,” the ICGA stated.

Initial Assessment

A “Make Our Children Healthy Again” Assessment was released in May that made several references to children’s exposure aggregation of environmental chemicals, some of which “are linked to developmental issues and chronic disease.”

The MAHA report referred to crop protection tools, including pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.

“Some studies have raised concerns about possible links between some of these products and adverse health outcomes, especially in children, but human studies are limited. For example, a selection of research studies on a herbicide (glyphosate) have noted a range of possible health effects, ranging from reproductive and developmental disorders, as well as cancers, liver inflammation and metabolic disturbances,” according to the report.

The report drew concerns from agriculture groups that the federal government could take a position to restrict access to agricultural inputs.